SECRET IMPRISONMENT AND THE RECENT PRACTICE DIRECTION

That this House welcomes the practice direction issued by the Lord Chief Justice and the President of the Family Division on 3 May 2013 relating to the imprisonment of people for contempt of court; notes that a number of people have been imprisoned in secret in the past; recognises that the proposals in this practice direction will lead towards greater accountability and transparency in respect of imprisonment for contempt of court; further notes that the practice direction should see the end of secret jailings for contempt of court, but recognises that there remain people whose liberty is constrained without proper accountability; and looks forward to other positive proposals for greater accountability in the judicial estate.